USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1939-1941 > Part 17
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108
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Board of Selectmen
Norwood, Massachusetts
Mr. Charles Houghton, Chairman
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Chief of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1939.
Number of box alarms 222
Number of still alarms.
161
Classified as follows:
Buildings
73
Automobiles
17
False.
42
Woods, brush, grass and peat
251
Total
383
Value of property involved :
Buildings
$432,355.00
Contents
104,825.00
Total
537,180.00
Estimated loss on buildings
27,840.00
Estimated loss on contents
53,320.00
Total estimated loss
81,160.00
Insurance paid on buildings
$26,598.80
Insurance paid on contents
49,236.28
Total insurance paid.
75,835.08
Number of gallons of water used (approximate)
1,230,632
Number of feet of hose used.
48,950
Number of feet of ladders used
1,217
Inspections:
Business buildings and dwellings
1,267
Garages and gasoline stations.
50
Fire alarm boxes
384
Oil storages, fire works and blasting
125
Ambulance calls attended
258
Drills.
281 hours
Burning over dangerous areas
77 hours
109
Number of feet of hose tested:
2} inch. 9,450 feet
1} inch 2,100 feet
1 inch 1,800 feet
Pumping details
453 hours
In addition to the hose used as listed above, 18,200 feet of various sizes, was in use at variable periods at the meadow fire.
An estimate of the water pumped at this fire is 3,000,000 gallons. Due to the long stretches of hose, and the various sizes of nozzles used it is diffi- cult to determine the number of gallons.
I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the heads of all departments, the press, and all citizens of the town, for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
ALONZO N. EARLE, Chief of the Fire Department
110
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Board of Selectmen
Norwood, Massachusetts
Gentlemen,
During the year 1939, all dogs known to have bitten any person were quarantined and observed for'rabies.
Several shipments of cattle were examined for presence of contagious disease. All new cattle have been tuberculin tested.
Thirty-one premises where food animals are kept were inspected for sanitation.
Respectfully yours,
RONALD H. BRUCE, V.M.D., Inspector of Animals
111
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMISSION
The Finance Commission organized for the year 1939 as follows: Edmund F. Murphy, Chairman; John R. Russell, Clerk and Francis C. Foley member of the Commission.
On January 1, 1939 the debt amounted to $960,077 with maturities in 1939 of $201,000 and borrowings during the same period of $134,500.
The borrowing capacity of the Town on January 1, 1939 was $149,053 and on December 31, 1939 was $226,564.69.
The Commission met with all department heads and committees charged with the expenditure of money and made a detailed study of all requests for appropriations. As has been the custom for the past several years two public hearings were held by the Commission at the Municipal Building. These hearings as in the past were very poorly attended. With the amount of money expended for advertising in order to inform the voters as to the manner in which town funds are being expended it seems unfortunate that more people do not afford themselves of the opportunity which these hearings offer to make detailed inquiry as to proposed expenditures.
The Commission wishes to thank the various departments and com- mittees for their cooperation during the year.
The sum of $10,000 was appropriated for the Reserve Fund and pay- ments therefrom are set forth below.
Reserve Fund
Date
Account
Amount
5-9 Finance Commission
$ 100.00
8-7 Town Clerk and Accountant Incidentals 113.40
8-7 Finance Commission
64.30
8-7 Morrill Memorial Library Personal Service
154.10
7-31 Town Treasurer and Collector Personal Service
200.00
10-24 Certification of Notes
245.24
10-24
Care of Trees
500.00
10-17
Finance Commission
72.22
11-13
Soldiers' Benefits.
2,000.00
11-13 Care of Trees
250.00
11-27 Public Welfare
2,700.00
11-27
Salary Acting Clerk of Board of Selectmen
125.00
11-27
Town Clerk and Accountant Personal Service
194.20
11-27
Schools Maintenance of Buildings
151.16
Portable Bleachers
$33.63
Wooden Bleachers
76.05
Completion of New Showers. 41.48
12-7
Public Welfare Personal Service
373.00
12-20
Water Department Construction
800.00
12-30 Finance Commission.
56.35
12-30 Certification of Notes
2.00
112
12-30 Drain Maintenance. 4.49
12-30 Highway Maintenance and Repairs.
273.39
12-30 Public Works Incidental Expense.
29.20
12-30 Playgrounds Maintenance Personal Service. 11.86
12-30 Printing Town Reports
1.23
12-30 Police Department Incidentals
28.24
12-30 Sewer Maintenance.
229.21
12-30 Water Department Operation
19.35
12-30 Soldiers' Benefits
106.18
12-30 Water Department Operation
.11
$8,804.23
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND F. MURPHY, Chairman, FRANCIS C. FOLEY, JOHN R. RUSSELL, Clerk,
Finance Commission
ANNUAL REPORT
-of the-
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
- of the -
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Massachusetts
For the Year Ending December 31, 1939
114
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE School Committee
1939
Josephine A. Chandler, 55 Winslow Avenue, term expires 1941.
Christine L. Probert, 11 Marion Avenue, term expires 1941.
Harold A. Flood, 15 Highland Street, term expires 1942.
Edward H. Thompson, 9 Gardner Road, term expires 1942.
Thomas A. Kerr, 153 Winslow Avenue, term expires 1943.
Dennis P. O'Leary, 16 Prospect Avenue, term expires 1943.
Organization Josephine A. Chandler, Chairman. Elizabeth Zurba, Clerk.
Standing Committees
Appointment of Teachers: Mrs. Probert, Mrs. Chandler, Mr. O'Leary. Educational Program, Purchase of School Books and Supplies: Mr. O'Leary, Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Probert.
Finance: Mr. Thompson, Mr. O'Leary, Mr. Flood.
Janitors, Schoolhouses and Grounds: Mr. O'Leary, Mr. Flood, Mr. Kerr.
Committee Meetings
The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee is held at the School Committee Rooms, Junior High School Building, at eight o'clock p. m., on the second Thursday of each month.
Superintendent of Schools
Lincoln D. Lynch, 21 Florence Avenue, Telephone Norwood 1266.
The office of the Superintendent of Schools is at the Junior High School and is open from 8:00 to 12:00 a. m. and 1:00 to 5:00 p. m. every day except Saturday, when it is open from 8:00 a. m. to 12:00 m. Telephone Norwood 0133.
Clerk
Elizabeth Zurba, 49 Saunders Road, Telephone Norwood 1155-W.
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1939-1940
First term begins September 6, 1939, ends December 22, 1939 16 weeks Second term begins January 2, 1940, ends February 16, 1940 7 weeks Third term begins February 26, 1940, ends April 12, 1940 7 weeks Fourth term begins April 22, 1940, ends June 20, 1940. 9 weeks First term begins September 4, 1940, ends December 20, 1940 16 weeks
115
Holidays
October 12 and 13, 1939-Columbus Day.
October 27, 1939-County Teachers' Convention Day.
November 30 and December 1, 1939-Thanksgiving Recess.
December 22, 1939-Schools close for Christmas recessand re-open January 2,1940.
February 16, 1940-Schools close for Mid-winter recess and re-open February 26, 1940.
March 22, 1940-Good Friday.
April 12, 1940-Schools close for Spring recess and re-open April 22, 1940. May 30, 1940-Memorial Day.
June 17, 1940-Bunker Hill Day.
No-School Signal 2-2
Repeated at 7:15 a. m. No forenoon session for grades 1 through 12.
Repeated at 7:30 a. m. No forenoon session for grades 1 through 9.
Repeated at 7:45 a. m. No forenoon session for grades 1 through 6.
Repeated at 12:15 p. m. No afternoon session for grades 1 through 9.
Repeated at 12:30 p. m. No afternoon session for grades 1 through 6.
Repeated at 6:15 p. m. No session for Evening School.
Note: When the No-School Signal is sounded, all street lights are turned on for three minutes.
116
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Norwood:
The reports of the Superintendent, Principals and Supervisors present vital facts related to Norwood schools. Such statements concerning school activity as the School Committee regards worthy of consideration and not elsewhere included in the reports aforementioned are submitted herewith.
Changes in Personnel-1939
*Frank J. Corliss, Junior High School Submaster-to teach in Boston. Maude E. Dalton, Balch School-retired.
*Mary F. Houghton, Elementary School Music-to be married. Marjorie E. Pennington, Balch School-to be married. Helen C. Schruender, Junior High School-to be married.
*Doris C. Dexter, Senior High School-to be married.
Mary R. Egan, Senior High School-to be married.
Hans P. Hansen, West School Janitor-retired.
Death
*Orelle J. Gray, Senior High School.
Position Eliminated
Lena C. DeSalvo, part-time teacher of Italian, Senior High School.
Leave of Absence
Katharine L. Carbee, Principal of Balch School-on account of illness.
Transfers
*Florence Riley, from Callahan to Junior High School.
*L. Betsey Wilmarth, from Shattuck to Balch School.
Appointments
Grace M. Beverly, Balch School Teacher to Acting-Principal. Martha Kenefick, Balch School.
John B. Kelley, Senior High School, temporary teacher
Ita M. O'Neil, Teacher of Physically Handicapped Children.
John F. Reynolds, West School Janitor.
* Note: Vacancies created by resignation or transfer were not filled by other appointment.
No-School Days
From time to time there arise questions concerning the No-School signal. Some considerations are offered herewith.
It is well to keep in mind the fact that Massachusetts law requires that the secondary school be kept in session for 180 school days and the ele- mentary school for 160 school days.
117
Norwood schools have met this requirement and seldom is the school year of longer duration. It is obvious that, if the schools were opened late in September, or, if the vacations during the year were longer or more numerous, or, if the No-School signal were given quite frequently, the school year would extend into the month of July.
There are certain days during the year when there is doubt as to whether there should be school. On such days, parents of children who live near the schools, or who are clothed for the weather, or who are transported to school, feel that the schools should be held in regular session. Other parents may feel that there should be no school.
All should realize that the parent, if he feels that a child should not be in school because of inclement weather, has the right to keep him at home.
With respect to the closing of schools because of weather conditions, the School Committee has, this year, adopted a new policy. It is felt that the schools should be kept open for those children for whom attendance on such days would be neither a hardship nor a danger. On such days, for such children, attendance might be of benefit and a matter of convenience for the parent who may have made plans which would have to be altered if the schools were closed.
The new plan has worked well, for, on those days on which the No- School signal has been given, pupils, rather generally, have attended, not- withstanding the fact that such sessions are officially recorded as no- school sessions.
Italian Language
Fulfillment of conditions set up as a result of new statutory requirements with respect to the teaching of modern foreign languages made necessary last year the establishment of a program of instruction in the Italian language.
By reason of lessened interest in this subject and consequent decrease in the numbers enrolled for the benefit of such instruction, it became necessary this year to withdraw the services of a teacher of this language from our High School course offerings.
This was not done, however, until after those who were most concerned were apprised of the fact that the action would be taken unless greater participation in the program were assured.
In General
Reference to Tables I, II and III in this report will reveal a definite downward trend in our school enrollments.
Readjustments, which are made necessary as a result of this condition, are made as opportunities are presented. The reader will observe the fact that over a period of years the number of teachers in the service of the Public Schools has decreased substantially.
In terms of School Department costs, this situation is not without certain benefits. Particularly, annual budget requirements are less. Moreover,
118
it is with some satisfaction that we learn that we are, for some time at least, equipped with ample housing facilities to take care of our total school population.
It is particularly interesting to note the strikingly clear decline in the populations of the Balch and Callahan Schools as distinguished from the rather slow but steady decline of the enrollments in other schools.
Resolution
We, of the School Committee, appreciative of the many years ofvaluable service rendered by Hans Peter Hansen since he first entered the service of the Norwood School Department as janitor in several of our schools, hereby express our gratitude to him for faithful performance and consci- entious application to his work, which was always so well done.
In the years to come, and we hope they will be many, we trust that Mr. Hansen will derive great satisfaction from the memories of his associa- tion with us.
We resolve that a copy of this testimonial be sent to Mr. Hansen and another spread upon the records of the minutes of our meeting.
JOSEPHINE A. CHANDLER, Chairman, HAROLD A. FLOOD, THOMAS A. KERR, DENNIS P. O'LEARY, CHRISTINE L. PROBERT, EDWARD H. THOMPSON.
Table I. Teachers Employed
School
1931-32
1932-33
1933-34
1934-35
1935-36
1936-37
1937-38 29
1938-39*
1939-40*
Senior High
31
31
31
31
31
30
38}
36
Junior High
31
28
28
28
27
27
27
32
31
Elementary
57
53
53
53
53
53
53
54
51
Specials
23
20
20
20
20
20
20
1
1
Totals
142
132
132
132
131
130
129
1253
119
119
* Note: It will be observed that all special teachers are reported in the units wherein their teaching is done.
The one teacher reported as a Special teacher is the Director of Americanization.
There are not included in this tabulation, one part-time teacher of physically handicapped children and two part-time (one afternoon per week) teachers of instrumental music.
120
Table II. Enrollment for Ten Year Period
Year
Elementary
Junior High
High
Total
1928-1929
1,830
915
519
3,264
1929-1930
1,734
949
568
3,251
1930-1931
1,604
1,006
596
3,206
1931-1932
1,502
937
709
3,148
1932-1933
1,473
907
747
3,127
1933-1934.
1,384
836
765
2,985
1934-1935.
1,374
781
687
2,842
1935-1936
1,322
719
743
2,784
1936-1937
1,238
689
691
2,618
1937-1938
1,244
673
714
2,631
1938-1939
1,187
697
673
2,557
% of increase, 10 year period.
29.67
% of decrease, 10 year period.
35.13
23.82
21.66
Table IV. Anticipated Receipts, 1940
Anticipated 1939
Received 1939
Anticipated 1940
Tuition:
State Wards
$ 1,000
$ 1,477.80
$ 1,600
City of Boston Wards.
1,200
1,711.46
1,400
Day School Non-resident
500
301.57
Evening School Non-resident.
60
27.50
30
Vocational School
1,400
1,283.94
1,100
State Reimbursement:
Regular Teachers' Salaries
25,500
25,352.49
25,000
Americanization Teachers' Sal- aries
1,440
1,471.00
1,400
Manual Arts
200
158.15
175
Use of School Halls
700
393.00
400
Telephone Toll Calls
25
28.55
30
Miscellaneous (Repairs, Sale and
Breakage of Supplies, Text-
books, Padlocks, etc.)
100
73.86
75
Lunch Counter Operation
8,588
7,554.48
8,000
$40,713
$39,833.80
$39,210
Senior
Table III. School Population Trends School
Year
Balch
Callahan Shattuck
West
Winslow
Beacon
Total Elementary
Senior High
Junior High
Total All Schools
1930-1931
619
270
223
60
284
136
1,592
590
993
3,175
1931-1932
570
263
217
63
253
112
1,478
686
931
3,095
1932-1933
562
283
254
72
265
1,436
724
900
3,060
1933-1934.
527
275
250
64
250
1,366
757
785
2,908
1934-1935
502
270
261
61
247
1,341
689
781
2,811
1935-1936
474
289
254
63
219
1,299
721
718
2,738
1936-1937
438
260
255
56
222
1,231
693
686
2,610
1937-1938
446
234
246
49
253
1,228
700
669
2,597
1938-1939
422
222
239
40
249
1,172
680
693
2,545
1939-1940
396
201
230
47
234
1,108
702
674
2,484
% increase
3.13
18.98
% decrease
36.02
25.55
21.66
17.60
30.40
32.12
21.76
Note: Figures presented herewith are taken from September enrollments. Those presented in Table II are taken from June enrollments.
121
122
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Herewith, I submit my fourth annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
Contemporary thinking in education is dominated by three most im- portant concepts. First, the psychology of people is purposive. Its ele- ments are dynamic, not static, and in it are involved (and of particular interest to the educator), parent-pupil, pupil-teacher and parent-teacher relationships.
It is clear to the student of education that the adjustments which the child makes to his environment (school, home and elsewhere), is dependent in large measure upon the impact of the many social forces to which he is subject.
The reader is reminded of such terms as evasion, escape, inferiority and insecurity as they are related to the all important problems of the child's reaction, and subsequent adjustment (or maladjustment) to the school situation.
Second, the tremendous fact of individual differences and all of its im- plications. The manner in which individual children differ from one another in the many aspects of their needs, interests and capacities is astounding and serves only to make more complex the problem of the school in its attempt to meet the needs of the child and his education. Of this more has been said in earlier reports.
Third, education's great object of study is the "total child in the total situation," for only as the child is so conceived is it possible to administer to his needs and so, to provide for him that type of education which will be for him, the best.
As a result of our Mental Hygiene Project which, for lack of funds, had to be discontinued in its elaborate study of a selected group of our ele- mentary children, we have learned that most of our children are in fair but not in optimum health.
The project has been supported entirely by private funds and such serv- ices as it has been able to render us were furnished at no cost to the Town of Norwood.
Such testing as we have done leads us to believe that concern for things other than skills involved in achievement in traditional subject matter does in no way interfere with such competence. There is some evidence to support the contention that better results in school work may be achieved when the powers of the children are liberated through the removal of barriers to growth and development.
More than ever before, it seems to me, teachers are aware of the im- portance of measurement of the development and growth of a child in terms of his capacity to develop and grow.
123
Manuscript Writing
For many years, there has persisted the belief that children should be taught to write by the manuscript method. Experimentation in this field has proved that the child learns more rapidly to write when his letters are formed as they appear to him in print rather than in the older connective or cursive style. Transition from the earlier manuscript writing is easy and effected gradually in the third grade for most children.
The Norwood schools are now teaching manuscript writing to entering first grade children, not only because they may learn to write earlier and thus gain certain satisfaction from their early successes, but because it has certain advantages which relate to successes in the reading program. The letters are made as they appear on the printed page. The reading and writing situations thus possess certain identical elements which facilitate the learning processes involved, both in reading and writing.
Report Cards
Several studies have been made which have indicated rather clearly that in some respects the formal report card has failed of its purpose. It is assumed that a report should inform the parent, as well as the pupil, as to his progress in school.
Frequently the progress of the pupil measured in terms of letters or percentages needs some interpretation, for there are so many factors which enter into the considerations which determine the mark which is recorded.
It goes without saying that a personal interview between teacher and parent produces a much better understanding than is possible in any formal written report. This, of course, is impractical, as well as impossible.
Taking these facts into consideration, our elementary principals and teachers of the first three grades have been, since September, 1939, report- ing pupils' progress by letter to parents. So far as we are able to learn, the plan is working well and parents seem to be much pleased with the in- novation.
Fatigue and School Adjustment
In the past, teachers have taken fatigue into account in the make-up of their teaching schedules. Invariably the "more difficult" subjects were the first to appear in the early morning hours of the school day, when the pupils were less tired and thus able to concentrate attention upon that type of work which taxed them most.
Quite naturally then, we may raise the question as to whether, if fatigue is an element to be reckoned with in the teaching situation, we should not deal directly with fatigue itself. Further study of fatigue and its causes leads us to inquire as to the relationships among fatigue, malnutrition, posture and school adjustment.
With respect to fatigue, we have provided rest periods for children in the first grades in all our schools. It is hoped that, as children become accustomed to this procedure, much good may be the result.
124
Conclusion
I would like to take this opportunity to express to the members of the School Committee, to all of my fellow-workers in the School Department, and to the other Town officials upon whom I have to call for help and advice, my feelings of deep gratitude for the kind and considerate manner in which they have aided and supported me in my work.
LINCOLN D. LYNCH
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
I have the honor to present in the following pages my fourth annual report as principal of the Norwood Senior High School. The first part of this report will have to do with various tables in order that certain trends within the school may be analyzed.
The school opened in September, 1939 with a total of 702 pupils dis- tributed by classes in accordance with Table I.
Table I. Enrollment
Sophomores
282
Juniors
214
Seniors.
206
Total
702
This table shows that there were twenty-four more pupils in school at the beginning of the present year than were enrolled a year ago. This in- crease can be accounted for almost completely by the large number of pupils who came into the sophomore class this year from the St. Catherine School. These pupils numbered eighty this year, whereas in preceding years this number has been between fifty and sixty. With 206 seniors listed above, together with twelve pupils now listed as middle juniors who have a possibility of graduating in June, 1940, it seems likely that there will be 218 graduated in June, 1940 as opposed to 199 a year ago.
Table II. Enrollment by Boys and Girls
Class
Boys
Girls
Total
Sophomore
126
156
282
Junior
105
109
214
Senior
84
122
206
Totals
315
387
702
It will usually be true that girls outnumber the boys in a Senior High School by a fairly substantial percentage. In our own case, this is so by approximately 10%. When one stops to consider that the average girl is
125
more mature than the boy at the same age, is usually a more conscientious student, and that there are 10% more of them in school, it is not surprising that the girls will get more scholastic honors than the boys.
Table III. Enrollment by Curricula
College
Class
Preparatory
Commercial
General
Total
Senior
55 26.7%
72 35.0%
79
38.3%
206
Junior
52 24.3%
97 35.3%
65
30.3%
214
Sophomore
68
24.2%
149
52.7%
65
23.0%
282
School Average ...
25.0%
44.3%
30.5%
702
Table IV. A Comparison of Curricula Percentage Over a Three-Year Period
College
Year
Preparatory
Commercial
General
1937
24
27
48
1938
22
40
37
1939
25
44
30
The five post-graduates now in school are not included in any of the above tables.
A survey of the above table shows that the percentage of pupils in the College Preparatory group has remained quite constant over the three- year period, while rather decided fluctuations have taken place in the other two groups, with a marked increase in the numbers of pupils electing commercial subjects. This fact has been especially evident this year because at present we have four classes in Commercial Geography now being taught by teachers outside the Commercial Department, in spite of the fact that every teacher in the Commercial Department except one is now teaching the regular assignment of five periods each day.
It seems entirely likely that this trend is going to continue, and we may expect to have at least as many pupils in our various commercial classes next September as we have at present. It would seem desirable that classes in Commercial Geography be taught by teachers in the Commercial Department; and if this is so, we shall need additional teaching assistance in this field next September.
It is entirely probable that much of this increase may be charged against the economic trends of the times where the problem of job getting is very serious for these young people when they leave High School, and they and their parents probably feel that the surest way of breaking into industry is through the medium of some knowledge of commercial subjects.
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